I know they are a few post on here about us older folks and I have read them...now MY situation and cold hard truth..I need motivation!
I'm 39, out of work {electrician} I smoke 1 1/2 packs a day, drink mnt dew all day, I'm 6' and 150lbs. I play in a rock cover band on the weekends..I drink beer 2-3 times a week...I wanted to join since I was a teen, made a bad decision and did short time in jail, got the typical ****ed at the world attitude. Now...smarter and still wanting to join. Had my felony for theft and party to burglary expunged or pardoned. I am in pretty good shape from working construction. Although at 39 getting those weird snaps and cracks in the usual spots{ knees, back, shoulders} I am used to working 10-12 hours in construction dealing with heat, long hours on feet and what not..I KNOW I need to stop smoking and am working on it...got to stop the beer 1st..gotta have a smoke with a beer My mind says 22r {electrician} since that is my trade if I go that route, with all the school I had in electrical {IBEW} will I have to still go all the way through AIT? My gung ho side wants to go 11b...if I join as a solider,then solider up is what I am going to do.... Let me have it
Go talk to a National Guard recruiter cause the felonies might be tricky even if pardoned or expunged. If one recruiter says you can't try another, sometimes one will help you more than the other. I know from personal experience cause I medically permanetly Dq'd for some BS but got in somehow by a miracle it seems. If you go to MEPS if you can enlist I suggest putting Tiger Balm or ICY-Hot on your stiff joints so they don't make as much noise in front of the Doc. Cause their job is partly to Disqualify you for service. Just explain to the recruiter about yur past legal issues and it might work out for ya. I suggest quitting smoking if you can enlist b4 going to MEPS least a week or more ahead of time.
Integrity and discipline comes from within. If you don't have it, or can't find it at 39 then it's probably not gonna happen. You've got a lot of negatives to becoming a dedicated soldier. I know your looking for encouragement, but of all the people I have read posts from on these boards your struck me as one of the laziest and most insincere. Looks like your looking for a "way out". We have enough people with your traits in the Guard now. I hate to see you bringing that unmotivated, lazy attitude to the National Guard even before you think about doing it. Good luck. Keep plugging away in the Civilian world. Another job will come along someday.
PDU850 your comments are the ones that are negative. It takes more for someone to admit that they need help and encouragement than someone that keeps it inside and lets it eat them besides who are you to say who will be a dedicated soldier and who wont be the guard can change a lot of people. I believe all that wish to join have that right and not to be put down by others due to the fact that its better to try than not at all. To the 39 year old I say go for it and make the try to get in do what you can about your record and physical problems and go for it. I hope you make it in and get the encouragement you seek. Good luck to you
pdu, obviously you have not seen some of these quality young recruits, they possibly had more issues than this fellow. the only problem I can see is , would a 39year old want to follow directions from a 22 year old sgt, that may know less than him. I see that as issue with some of the older troops, some handle it just fine, others, not so much.
Originally posted by Teknowil: pdu, obviously you have not seen some of these quality young recruits, they possibly had more issues than this fellow. the only problem I can see is , would a 39year old want to follow directions from a 22 year old sgt, that may know less than him. I see that as issue with some of the older troops, some handle it just fine, others, not so much.
With all due respect Sergeant, I understand "growing pains" or "rights of passage" behaviors. I had, or went through many myself. Many! But, this guy is the same age as me now. I used to drink, alot! I used to smoke. I didn't exercise on any regular basis. I have had many hard times as far as jobs are concerned. Both as a single person and while married with children. When I began my Law Enforcement education and pursuit the drinking was reduced, then when I started a family I eliminated it. The smoking went with it some time before that. Because of the Military and Law Enforcement I have increased the intensity of my Physical Fitness as I get "older". Now, I still out PT most of every age in my unit. I'm more disciplined and physically fit than any other time in my life.
Bottom line: If your serious about it at 39 then get in shape, quit smoking, and quit drinking. At this point if you still need coaxing then it's probably not for real. When your a kid you know nothing and haven't experienced it yet. When your 39 if your really sincere, really serious about it you'll do it. It looks as though he is unemployed and I understand what that is like, but the National Guard isn't a magic way out of that predicament. It is temporarily through initial training and such, but then it's back to a Part-time commitment. I've been there too.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: pdu850,
